Unit 5: Consciousness

1. CHS AP Psychology Unit 5: Consciousness • Essential Task 5.10:Identify the major psychoactive drug categories (depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens) and classify specific drugs, including their psychological and physiological effects.

2. Drugs and Consciousness Psychoactive Drug: A chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood (effects consciousness).

3. Depressants • Depressant drugs reduce neural activity and slow body functions. They include: • Common depressants are • Alcohol • Barbiturates • Opiates

4. Alcohol • Most used psychoactive drug in Western societies • Although most often used in moderation, about 14 million Americans have problems with alcohol • Men are three times more likely to be problem drinkers

5. Alcohol • Highly addictive • Even moderate amounts can affect • Perception • Motor processes • Memory • Judgment • Visual acuity • Depth perception • Cognitive functioning

6. Alcohol • Overall effect is to calm the nervous system • Sometimes perceived as a stimulant because it relaxes inhibitions

7. Barbiturates • “Downers” • Often Used to treat insomnia • Can interfere with sleep patterns and cause dependence • Effects are similar to alcohol

8. Opiates • Derived from the opium poppy • Includes opium, morphine, and heroin • Opiates resemble endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers • Causes euphoria followed by clouded mental functioning

9. Stimulants • Substances that excite the central nervous system • Includes drugs such as • Caffeine • Nicotine • Cocaine • Ecstasy • Amphetamines • Methamphetamines

10. Caffeine • Naturally occurring substance found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate • Also added to soft drinks and pain medications • Increases alertness • In high doses, caffeine can cause anxiety, headaches, heart palpitations, insomnia, and diarrhea

11. Nicotine • Found in tobacco • Considered by many to be the most addictive stimulant in use today • Affects levels of several neurotransmitters • Depending on amount and time smoked, can have either sedative or stimulating effects • Can lead to numerous withdrawal symptoms, including nervousness, headaches, and irritability

12. Amphetamines stimulate neural activity, causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes, with devastating effects. Amphetamines National Pictures/ Topham/ The Image Works

13. Amphetamines • Chemically similar to epinepherine, a hormone that activates the sympathetic nervous system • Increase alertness as well as feelings of well-being • Can cause euphoria followed by a crash, including severe depression • Leads to cycle of addiction

14. Amphetamines • Forms can include methamphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA) • Ecstasy acts as both a stimulant and hallucinogen • Even short-term use of ecstasy may have long-term consequences

15. Ecstasy or Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a stimulant and mild hallucinogen. It produces a euphoric high and can damage serotonin-producing neurons, which results in a permanent deflation of mood and impairment of memory. Ecstasy Greg Smith/ AP Photos

16. Cocaine • Blocks reabsorption of dopamine • Produces increased alertness, motivation, and euphoria • Crash leads to anxiety, depression, and strong cravings

17. Hallucinogens • Substances that distort visual and auditory perception • LSD • Produces hallucinations and delusions similar to a psychotic state • Can result in psychosis, memory loss, paranoia, panic attacks, nightmares and aggression

18. Marijuana • THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, produces symptoms such as • Mild hallucinations • Euphoria • Enhanced sense of well-being • Relaxation • Distortion of time • Some users may experience anxiety and paranoia